HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 567

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Nutley, McMullen, Allen, Wang, Cantwell, Scott, Brough, Winsley, Unsoeld, Leonard, Padden, Cooper, Lewis, R. King, Holm, L. Smith, Betrozoff, May, Sprenkle, Todd, Spanel and Miller)

Providing funding sources for county domestic violence prevention programs.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

     Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Leonard, Moyer, Padden, H. Sommers, Sutherland, Wang and Winsley.

House Staff:John B. Welsh, Jr.  (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Currently, county auditors are required by law to charge $23 for issuing marriage licenses.  Of this amount, $8 is for administrative costs.  The total fee will drop to $18 after June 30, 1988.

SUMMARY:

County auditors are required to collect an additional fee for issuing marriage licenses when authorized by the county legislative authority.  This fee, not to exceed $17, is to be used solely for funding domestic violence prevention programs and services in the county, including shelters and the processing of domestic violence complaints and charges.  The $8 administrative fee is increased to $10.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Representative Busse Nutley, Prime Sponsor; Fred Saeger, County Auditors Association; Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington State Shelter Network; Kurt Sharar, Washington State Association of Counties; and Pat Thibaudeau, Women Women United.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     Domestic violence programs, shelters, and legal processing of complaints and charges are currently inadequately funded.  The additional revenue generated by this bill is badly needed to help in dealing with this serious and increasing problem.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.